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June 14, 2013

Don Trone: Dodd-Frank, SEC Are a ‘Disaster’

Outspoken fiduciary expert doesn’t hold back at TDAI conference

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Professor Arthur Laby might have gone back 80 years in his discussion of fiduciary at TD Ameritrade’s Fiduciary Leadership Summit in Palm Beach, Fla., but Don Trone was having none of it.

“I’m going to start with the 4th century B.C. and Aristotle’s notion of ethos,” Trone began during his portion of the afternoon presentation. “It involves leadership, stewardship and governance. I just described something without naming it. What could it be?”

When Trone, president of the Leadership Center for Investment Stewards, heard fiduciary shouted from the audience, he noted the definition of fiduciary he frequently hears.

“It’s often defined as doing what’s in the best interest of the client,” he explained. “Every time I hear it I do this sort of Popeye face. I think, ‘really?’ I’ve never gotten behind that definition because for a true fiduciary, it doesn’t have to be talked about; it’s just understood.”

Referring to his time as a Coast Guard search and rescue pilot, Trone noted he never once had to say he would jeopardize his life to save others; it was just understood.

“Through the eyes of your clients, you have to be viewed as a leader. If you’re not, you’ll never be able to take them through a financial crisis.”

“Three major events occurred as fiduciary was developing,” Trone said. “The rise of the personal computer allowed for tools like asset allocation software, reporting features and others. Then there was the rise of no-load products and lastly there were investment advisory custodial platforms. Had the confluence of these events not happened at the same time as fiduciary, we would not have the industry we do today.”

Trone didn’t disappoint in making frank and controversial statements, something for which the retired military man is known.

“The SEC RFI is a disaster,” he said. “You cannot compare suitability and fiduciary. It’s like comparing was and peace, which are asymmetrical concepts. I can tell you what war costs, but there is no way to quantify peace. You can calculate suitability, but how do you quantify fiduciary?”

Likewise, he called Dodd-Frank a disaster. Referring to the previous days keynote speaker, former Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., Trone said none of the objectives of the law that Frank described would be achieved through more rules and regulations.

“Aristotle noted that rules do not improve the behavior of a society," he said. "More importantly, more rules in modern society promote a dangerous ‘checkmark’ mentality.”